Bovada
Bovada Poker Review
Bovada is one of the most identifiable online gambling brand names in the United States. Since being established in 2011, Bovada has been offering their services to Americans in most states. Players can bet on horses, sports, and hundreds of casino games including slots, table games, and specialty games. Bovada even has a great live casino with plenty of Blackjack, Baccarat and Roulette variants.
Another feature Bovada proudly offers is their poker room where one of the largest American player pools regularly finds action around the site’s many poker tables. Those who play at Bovada Poker have access to PaiWangLuo Network’s entire player pool which means you shouldn’t have a hard time finding action at your favorite table.
The site’s mobile compatibility and easy payment options attract a lot of new players while big bonuses, regular promotional offers, and 24/7 customer service keep them coming back. Poker players can hit the tables at Bovada Poker from almost anywhere in the world using a PC, iOS or Android device. There is no need to download any apps or other software because the site is configured for instant play on mobiles and personal computers.
Licensing, Ownership, and Restricted Countries
One thing that comes across as a little peculiar at Bovada Poker is the lack of standard but yet vital information. Most online gambling sites display any licenses they have and a bit of information about ownership and operation. You can usually get such information by scrolling to the bottom of the page or checking out the terms and conditions. However, there doesn’t seem to be any information available on the Bovada website on such issues.
Bovada doesn’t appear to volunteer many details regarding restricted countries and regions. The terms and conditions indicate Bovada accepts players from most states in the US with the exception of Nevada, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware and any other state with specific laws that prohibit playing online poker. There’s nothing else beyond those vague details.
Site Security
Much like Bovada Poker doesn’t volunteer a lot with respect to their licensing and ownership, they don’t explain exactly what security features they offer. The site’s privacy policy says that Bovada Poker takes reasonable steps to protect your privacy and personal data. However, the policy also clearly states that Bovada cannot guarantee that any information you disclose is secure.
Funny enough, an obscure blurb on the poker client download page claims the site uses the same SSL encryption and protection methods that banks do. While this is reassuring, more information on the matter would help to instill a lot more confidence.
Games at Bovada Poker
Texas Hold’em: Texas Hold’em poker has been a staple at poker sites since they came into existence and Bovada has loads of Texas Hold’em games going on around the clock. If you would like to give it a try, then for cash games you can start out with $0.02/$0.05 and go up to $10/$20. If you want to try Fixed-Limit ring games, they start from $0.05/$0.10 and go up to $30/$60.
Texas Hold’em Sit & Go tournaments are always getting underway. Players can enter for as little as $1.05 or as much as $214. Prizes depend on the size of the table which can have anywhere from two players up to 27 players. There are also several daily, weekly, and monthly tournaments that offer some pretty impressive prize pools and a good array of entrance fees.
One of the latest additions to Bovada Poker is their Jackpot Sit & Go tournaments. These tournaments feature random jackpots and three-player tables. The random prize pool is announced once three players have entered and the last one standing wins it all. Buy in for $2 for a chance at winning up to $2,400. Buy in for $7 and you could win $8,400 while a $20 buy-in gives you a shot at up to $24,000. $60 Jackpot Sit & Go games have up to $72,000 up for grabs.
Omaha Hi: Many poker players love playing Omaha poker and they can find a lot of it happening at Bovada Poke. Players can choose between 6-man and heads up Pot-Limit Omaha tables with blinds starting at $0.02/$0.05 and reaching $10/$20. Players can try their hand at Limit Omaha with blinds ranging between $0.02/$0.05 and $30/$60. Like Texas Hold’em, poker enthusiasts can play Omaha Sit & Go tournaments, Jackpot Sit & Go tournaments, and regularly scheduled Omaha tournaments.
Omaha Hi-Lo: Omaha Hi-Lo is an addictive game that is filled with ups and downs. Play Omaha Hi-Lo ring games for as little as $0.02/$0.04 or as much as $10/$20. Play Omaha Hi-Lo Sit & Go tournaments at regular speed or turbo speed or enter one of the regular Omaha Hi-Lo tournaments. Play at a 6-man table or go toe-to-toe in a heads up battle.
Zone Poker: Zone Poker is the perfect game for those who want to see more hands every hour. Typically, players who fold need to wait for the current hand to play out before they are dealt new cards but Zone Poker eliminates that inconvenience. They idea is simple, each time you fold or finish a hand, you are automatically sent to another table where you immediately get new cards.
While you end up facing different opponents every hand, you can see at least 2-3 times the number of hands per hour compared to regular play. With Zone Texas Hold’em, blinds start at $0.02/$0.05 and increase up to $2.50/$5. Limit Omaha players can get in on the action for either $0.10/$0.20 or $0.75/$1.50 while Omaha Hi-Lo Zoom tables are either $0.05/$0.10 or $0.25/$0.50.
Anonymous Mode: While this isn’t a game, anonymous mode is a useful feature that allows poker players to play anonymously. Instead of having your regular screen name on display when you sit at a table, you are just given a number. Any notes or ratings that other players have made on you are not accessible to them.
Casino Games
The Bovada Poker client conveniently includes nearly 300 popular casino games. Click on the “Casino Games” option to see what exciting games are offered.
Table Games: Click on the “Table Games” header to reveal 19 exhilarating table games including craps, several variants of Roulette, Baccarat, and Blackjack along with a nice selection of casino poker games like Pai Gow, Tri Card Poker, and Let’em Ride.
Slots: Slots are extremely popular at both land-based and online casinos and Bovada Poker has 183 different titles in their slot game catalog. Players love Big Money Bigfoot, Aztec’s Treasures, and Caesar’s Empire as well as Major Moolah, Lion’s Roar, and Gold Rush.
Video Poker: With staples like Deuces Wild, Jacks or Better, and Joker Poker, the Video Poker section features 15 games that promise to provide maximum entertainment. Bonus Poker, Double Bonus Poker and Double Double Bonus Poker give you a chance to win a hefty payout.
Specialty Games: Bingo and Keno fans will want to click on the “Specialty Games” tab and immerse themselves in any of the available variants of these games. Other games like Beach Bums, Gunslinger’s Gold, and Tiki Treasure are here too.
Progressives: Casino fans are drawn to progressive games because they often feature massive jackpots. Sevens & Stripes, Super Diamond Mine, and Birds of Fury have jackpots that are always growing as do Ronin, Tiger Treasure, and Red Sands. Players have 45 progressive jackpot games to choose from.
Sportsbook: Bovada’s extensive sportsbook is known for offering competitive odds on a huge number betting markets ranging from sports and politics to eSports and entertainment. No matter what event you want to find action on, Bovada’s sportsbook is sure to offer you the most betting options on it.
Bovada Bonuses
Bovada enhances your online gambling experience as soon as you sign up and make your first deposit. The site has three different welcome packages to choose from and each one offers incredible value.
$250 Sports Welcome Bonus: This welcome bonus if ideal for players who like to bet on sports. Claim the $250 Sports Welcome Bonus and Bovada will 50% match your first deposit up to $250. Once you have claimed your bonus and made your deposit, Bovada will credit your account with the bonus funds within 30 minutes.
You must wager the amount of the bonus plus the amount of the deposit 5X on sports or horse racing bets before you are eligible to withdraw it. A 30X rollover requirement applies to casino wagers but the bonus cash cannot be used to play live dealer games. You can withdraw from your account while a bonus is active but the withdrawal nullifies bonus cash and all winnings that resulted from using it.
$3,000 Casino Welcome Bonus: Those who plan on spending time in the Bovada Casino will want to get in on this bonus which can boost their account balance by up to $3,000. Use the promo code NEWWELCOME when you make your first deposit and Bovada will match it 100% up to $1,000. Bonus cash will immediately be available to you. Make your second and third deposits using the same promo code to collect $1,000 in bonus money on each one. That’s a total of $3,000 in bonus cash.
To make your bonus funds eligible for withdrawal, you must wager the amount of the bonus plus the amount of the deposit at least 25 times. Wagers made on craps and live dealer games do not count toward the rollover conditions. Check the wagering contribution table to find out what each individual games contributes towards the requirements.
100% Poker Welcome Bonus: This is the bonus for you if you want to significantly fatten up your chip stack before you even hit the tables. Open a new account; download the poker client, make a secure deposit and Bovada will 100% match it up to $500. The bonus cash is automatically transferred from your bonus account to your real money account in $5 increments each time you earn 150 Rewards Points. You have 30 days to convert your bonus cash into real money.
$5,000 Bitcoin Bonus: Bitcoin is the most popular cryptocurrency and it is accepted at many top gambling sites including Bovada. In fact, Bovada gives you added incentive to use Bitcoin as a payment option. Make your first Bitcoin deposit using the bonus code BVCBITCOIN150 and Bovada will match it by 150% up to $1,500. You can use the same code to receive the same bonus up to three times which equates to up to $4,500 in casino bonus money.
You can then make a Bitcoin deposit using the promo code BVSBITCOIN50 and Bovada will 50% match up to $500 for use in the sportsbook. That’s a total of $5,000 in bonus cash when you use Bitcoin to make your first four deposits. The total amount of bonus money and the deposit needs to be wagered 5 times on horses or sports while the bonus casino money and deposit amount needs to be rolled over 25 times.
Rewards Program: Bovada gives you Player Points every time you make a bet at the casino, sportsbook, or in the poker room. You can redeem your points for bonus cash or tournament tickets by going to the “Rewards” portal and selecting “Get My Bonus”. Rewards Points expire if not used within 12 months. Bonus cash earned from rewards points is subject to a 2X rollover in the sportsbook or racebook and a 10X rollover in the casino.
Cashback Bonus: Every day at midnight, player account balances are checked and if you have less than $10 in your player account, you might be eligible to receive cash back. The calculations on sports betting losses, poker losses, and casino losses are done differently. Check the table in the Rewards section’s terms and conditions to check your eligibility.
VIP Program: Climb through the VIP rankings by amassing Player Points. Every player is automatically enrolled in the program and are placed at the Starter level. Work your way up to the prestigious Hall of Fame level to earn maximum cashback on losses and higher cash value for Player Point redemption.
Getting Started On Mobile
A growing number of online gamblers are taking to their mobile devices to bet on sports, visit online casinos, and play poker. The process of signing up, making a secure deposit, claiming a bonus, and getting dealt in to your first hand takes mere moments. For those who use iOS or Android devices, go to bovada.lv and click on the red “Join” icon in the top-right corner of the main page.
You don’t need to provide many details at this point beyond the basics such as your name, birth date, email address, ZIP code and phone number. You will also need to create a password and agree to the site’s terms and conditions. After clicking on the “Continue” button, you will receive an email or text message containing a special PIN code which you must enter into the popup screen. Your account is set up after you successfully enter the code.
With your account set up, you can now take a look around the site and see how great it looks and how easy it is to navigate on a smaller screen. Now you are free to play your favorite poker games while you are on the move. The only downside to using your mobile device is that you can’t play at multiple tables simultaneously.
Getting Started On Desktop
In order to get the best performance out of Bovada Poker, players using Windows-based systems should have at least Windows 7, Dual Core processor, 1 GB of RAM, 200 MB of free disk space, and Flash Player 16. Mac users should have MacOS X 10.7 (64 bit) and 250 MB of free disk space.
Getting started on a desktop or laptop is no different than setting up Bovada Poker on mobile devices. Just go to bovada.lv and click on the red “Join” button at the top of the main page. This brings up a registration form on which you provide your name, date of birth, email, phone number, and ZIP code. After pressing “Continue”, a box will appear requesting a 4-digit code which will be sent to you by text message or email. Your account will be officially opened once you enter the code.
After successfully opening your account, download Bovada’s Poker client and then follow the easy instructions to set it up. This process should take less than a minute. Once complete, you can open the newly installed poker client and head to the tables to enjoy the thrill of Bovada Poker. PC users can play two Zone Poker tables or four cash tables at once. True multi-taskers can play up to 15 tournament tables at once.
Deposit at Bovada
Once you have opened a new account with Bovada, you can hone your poker skills by playing for play money. You will want to make a real money deposit once you get your confidence up and Bovada Poker makes it easy. One way to load your player account starts by clicking on the red “Cashier” button on the left side of the poker client page.
You will then click on the “Deposit” tab in the top-left corner to bring up your payment options. Click on your preferred method and follow the easy instructions which slightly vary depending on which method you use. Once you confirm the deposit, funds will be available to you right away. Another way to make a deposit is clicking on your account icon at the top of the site’s main page and then finding the prominently displayed “Deposit” button. Follow the steps as outlined above.
Bovada Poker accepts Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. Bitcoin users can enjoy higher deposit and withdrawal limits than credit card users and they don’t pay any fees.
Verify You Identity
Responsible online gambling sites like Bovada want to do all they can to stop minors from gambling and prevent fraud and money laundering. This is why all players must verify their age, identity, and residential address. This verification process must be completed before Bovada will allow you to withdraw any funds so you should do it as soon as you open your new account.
You need to provide government photo ID that bears a clear photograph along with your full name and date of birth. A valid passport or driver’s license will usually do the trick. You will also need to provide another piece of documentation like a phone bill, electric bill, or bank statement that shows your full name and current address. Once this documentation is submitted, Bovada will verify it within 48 hours and you are free to withdraw your winnings. You need only do this once.
Making Withdrawals From Bovada
It’s always a happy moment when you get to withdraw your winnings especially when you are withdrawing from your Bovada Poker player account. Either click on the red “Cashier” button in the poker client or go to the banking section by clicking on your player profile on the main web page. Click on the “Withdraw” tab to see what payment options you have.
After selecting the withdrawal method, enter the amount you would like to cash out and then follow the instructions. Once the transaction is complete, Bovada will quickly review the withdrawal request and process it. Contact customer support if you don’t see your preferred payment option listed or if you have any other issues.
Customer Service
Various information and answers to the most frequently asked questions are available in different areas of the site. If you can’t find the answer to your question, contact the professional customer support team and they will resolve the issue. Click on the “Contact Us” link at the bottom of the site’s main page and you will be presented with a query form. Fill it out and be sure to include as much information as possible before hitting the “Send” icon. You’ll get a reply within 24 hours.
Of course, most people who are seeking assistance don’t want to wait which is why Bovada Poker’s customer care offers live chat and telephone support. Click on the “Chat Now” link in the Contact Us section to connect with an agent or call 1-888-263-0000. Bovada also has a presence on Facebook and Twitter.